Despite record, Lions still hopeful in locker room

Just one more play.That’s what the Detroit Lions (4-7) will look for when they take on the Indianapolis Colts (7-4) on Sunday at Ford Field.

Six of the Lions’ seven losses have been by eight points or less. In their last game — it seems a long time ago — they lost 34-31 in overtime to a quality Houston Texans team.

The Lions had so many chances to win it and they blew it. Had they made one more play, just one more they would have strutted off the field with a win.

With five games remaining, there is no loss of hope in the locker room. The Lions are a more determined bunch than ever.

“I think the biggest thing is just winning. We’ve been right there the last few weeks,’’ wide receiver Calvin Johnson said. “It’s just one more play we have to make on offense or defense and we’re there, special teams, whatever it may be. We just have to find a way to make that one more play, find a little extra.’’

Last season when the Lions finished 10-6 and went to the playoffs, they got that extra yard, that one play that put them over the top.

This season it’s been a different story. The offense is ranked first in the NFL averaging 412 yards per game, but they are not scoring enough points.

“The stats baffle me just because where we are as an offense, it’s not equating to what we did,’’ center Dominic Raiola said. “That’s what I said for two to three weeks now, the plays we made last year we’re not making them this year.

“That’s the difference between 4-7 and last year we were 7-4 at this time, whatever. That’s the difference between the flip-flop of the win-loss record,’’ Raiola added.

The defense has played well and is ranked 13th in the NFL, but too often has let up in the fourth quarter. Inconsistency has killed them. Special teams cost them two games early, but have mostly turned round although Jason Hanson missed a rare field goal on Thanksgiving.

“We’re short one play as a team, I think there’s a couple games we needed more than one,’’ offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. “There’s been the last two games and even going back to earlier in the season where we’re a play short.

“And last year at this point in the season we had made those plays, this year we’re short a ball placement here, a catch here, a third-down conversion whatever it is. We have to figure out a way to get that one more play to get on the winning edge,’’ Linehan added.

The Colts, coming off a 2-14 season, are getting the bounces this season.

The Lions are five-point favorites despite the difference in the records.

“Yeah, I mean, they’re an extremely talented group. I mean, they’re a very dangerous football team on both sides of the ball and Stefan Logan, I’m very familiar with Stef. So, it all comes down in the National Football League to those games that are won or lost by three or four points,’’ Colts interim coach Bruce Arians said. “They could just as easily be 8-3. So, I mean, I don’t see why they cannot finish the season 9-7. They’ve got enough talent to win every game.”

Talent? Yes, but it takes more than talent.

The last two seasons the Lions have recorded a 6-2 mark in December.

“(Jim) Schwartz definitely focuses on that, he’s big on finishing,’’ defensive end Cliff Avril said. “So much football to play. Once again it’s just a mentality. You have to hunker down and play these last five games like there’s no posteason and try to get into the postseason.

“We’re all pros. Every time you go out there you put your resume out there,’’ Avril said. “Guys are prideful, guys definitely have a lot of pride and want to win, that’s what we’re here to do is win games.’’